#NHBPM – Dear 18-Year-Old Me

To Rachel at the age of eighteen,

I wish I could assure you that life will be easier once you go away to college and beyond. I wish I could assure you that someday you will not have to face anxiety and depression.

While I cannot assure you of those things, I can tell you that you will end up with some dear friends and experience excellent adventures and most importantly, you will always retain a sense of social responsibility instilled by your elders. To that end, you will find a voice advocating for people with chronic mental and physical illness, and you will find yourself appreciated for that voice, even in some of your darker days.

Because there will be additional challenges, more challenges than you could have ever imagined. I cannot elaborate, you just have to wait and see and learn from them. You will gain strength in so many ways that will amaze and inspire friends and family. Your shortcomings will seem small in comparison in their eyes. And you deserve these people in your life, you deserve their love.

Oh, I know you feel so very alone in this world, even within your own family, but I promise you are loved now and in the coming years. You are in their thoughts no matter where your life takes you.

Love always,

Your 35-year-old self.

This post was written as part of  NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days.